Author's Note: Wow, it has been a while. For some reason this chapter took a while to write (also my computer broke down again... I swear I have the touch of death when it comes to electronics --;!). Anyway, for those of you who participated, I'd like to thank you all for nominating and voting for my story, Mary Sue, in the Annual TMNT Fanfic Awards. It turns out that I was nominated for two categories, Best Happy Ending and Best Comedy (not one like I said previously), and I'm honoured to announce that I won both. So thank you all once again. I really appreciate it and I hope this next chapter is to your liking.
UPDATE! The site seems to be having problems with its uploading features. I've tried to fix these mistakes, but when I attempted to upload again half the chapter was cut off :( So just tell me if you spot any formatting mistakes (wrong paragraphs underlined, repeated etc) and I'll to fix it when the site isn't so glitchy --;
Chapter Five: Sloth.
Happiness includes chiefly the idea of satisfaction after full honest effort. No one can possibly be satisfied and no one can be happy who feels that in some paramount affairs he failed to take up the challenge of life. – (Enoch) Arnold Bennett.
Tired eyes looked at the clock as it agonisingly ticked around. The lights were dim and the air was damp, but the lair was still comfy for a wise, old sewer rat. Splinter lowered his gaze to continue reading his newspaper, though he was more worried about Raphael than about political issues. In a few hours it would be dawn, and Raph still hadn't come home from his walk. Splinter didn't know how to feel, as he knew that this behaviour was expected from the turtle, but then again the old rat didn't want to lose another son.
Faint footsteps could be heard from behind, so light that Splinter almost thought that it was simply his imagination. He turned around, causing Eve to freeze on the spot. Splinter couldn't read the mixture of emotions that were spread across the mouse's face. "I thought you were asleep," Eve passively explained her tiptoeing. Splinter's nose quivered with desire his eyes looked over Eve. Every time he saw her, she grew more beautiful, more irresistible to the lonely, aging ninjitsu master. Despite the dim lighting of the subway station, her coat managed to shine with a certain new vibrancy. The tendrils of twisted masses of hair no longer existed and her nails were neatly clipped. She gave Splinter the impression that she was a pampered pedigree ready for a competitive pet show.
Eve didn't know whether she should blush or feel uncomfortable with Splinter's unwavering gaze. Whenever she spoke to him, she received the same dumbfounded reaction, as though he was a child seeing the graceful falling snow for the first time. "Why are you still up?" Eve wondered, though she didn't realise the rudeness in her question. Splinter was so enwrapped and entranced by the mouse that he almost missed hearing her words entirely. When the question finally registered in his mind, he swallowed, and for some reason thought extra carefully about his response.
"I'm waiting for Raphael," Splinter uttered as he almost forgot his reason for staying up so late.
"Why?"
"I have to speak with him. I have to decide on who's going to be the next leader of the clan," Splinter kindly informed her.
"I'm sorry about what happened to… Leonardo," Eve said as though she had been trained to say it, almost forgetting the turtle's name in the process.
"It's no one's fault," the rat said calmly, still staring straight into her eyes while not moving an inch off his favourite armchair. "How's Michelangelo?" Splinter was curious as to what his son had been doing. Eve immediately grinned, causing Splinter to suspect the worse. Yet as usual, it seemed that he had let his imagination run wild.
"He showed me how to play Uno," Eve said with a glint of excitement in her eyes. The mouse seemed to love even the simplest of things. A wave of relief swept through Splinter. Knowing that Eve wasn't likely to lie, he laid his fears to rest.
"You look nice this morning," Splinter complimented. He knew it was a dangerous move and that he was treading on thin ice. Regardless of the fact that Eve and Mike didn't get much further than a few kisses, the two still seemed to be going out. 'Then again,' Splinter thought. 'It's only a simple compliment. What harm can it do?'
Eve smiled and looked to the floor in bashfulness, feeling the prettiest she had ever been in her life. "Thank you. Mikey found some shampoo and conditioner I could use," Eve explained while she ran her left paw down the silky smooth fur of her right arm. Splinter smiled at her reaction, knowing that she was easy to please. He was on the verge of inviting Eve to take a seat on the nearby couch when Raphael decided to enter the lair. With a heavy heart, Splinter had to abandon his conversation with Eve so he could talk to Raph privately in his carriage. Quickly feeling neglected, Eve looked around. Most of the lair's inhabitants were sleeping, however Don's train carriage was still illuminated with a welcoming light. Curious to see how either the injured or brainy turtle was coping, Eve quietly crept over for an early morning visit.
The streets of New York City was filled the hustle and bustle of the early morning peak hour traffic, though none of the creatures residing underneath in the labyrinth of sewer tunnels even noticed. Donatello's nostrils dilated as he breathed in the hot steam rising out of the kettle. Knowing that the water had boiled, he yawned and switched the kitchen appliance off at the power point. After attempting to rub the tiredness out of his eyes, he soundlessly poured himself a cup of tea. He sat down at the dining table and repeatedly dunked the tea bag in and out of the hot water and set himself a calm, mindless rhythm. The movement and herbal scents were so relaxing that it started to take his mind off the many thoughts and worries that drifted by. He was so focused on his tea bag that he didn't even see Michelangelo enter the room and sit down at the table opposite him.
"Who's in Splinter's room? Raph? Venus?" Mike wondered. Donatello's body rattled with shock when his brother's voice shattered the peaceful morning silence.
"Huh?"
"Someone's talking in there. Listen." Both turtles fell silent. Straining his ears trying to hear past the stillness of the room, sure enough there was some underlying murmuring. Don wondered why he hadn't heard it sooner, but he figured it was because he was so fatigued and his senses weren't as acute.
"I dunno who it is," Don admitted.
"I wonder what they're saying?"
"If it's important, we'll find out soon enough," Donatello reasoned, followed by a shrug of the shoulders. He slowly grabbed a spoon and twirled the tea bag around it, carefully squeezing as much moisture from it as possible. "Actually, come to think of it, Eve said something about Splinter picking a new leader," Don remembered.
"When did Eve say that?"
"Earlier this morning. She says a lot of things," Don said as a small grin slowly crept over his face.
"Did she say anything about me?" Mike asked in a curious manner. He girlishly batted his eyelids to try and convince Don to answer his vain question. The purple-wearing turtle smirked in response.
"Yeah. She told me that you made out in front of Splinter!" Donatello cackled as Mike's face went whiter.
"She told you that!" Mike screeched with embarrassment. Don's shoulders shook from all the giggling. "Stop laughing!"
"Out of all the people in the world, you had to-"
"-I know! I know! I was distracted, okay! Sheesh! I'll never live this down," Mike grumbled. Don took another sip of his tea in an attempt to try and calm himself again.
"So, do you like her?" Don asked, becoming serious once again.
"Yeah…"
"You sound unsure."
"I dunno. She's just weird. Like sometimes she's shy, sometimes she's outgoing. Hot one minute, cold the next," Mike said.
"I think she just doesn't have enough experience in socialising with others. I can't imagine that the scientists would have spoke to her that much while she was stuck in that stem cell research lab. She's probably held more conversations now than ever before in her life," Don analysed.
"…Maybe," Mike considered Don's reasoning. "I s'pose that explains why she enjoys just about anything. For instance, last night, in my room, we played Uno for four hours straight!"
"She just hasn't spent that much time living in our world. No doubt it'll take her a while to discover how to react to others, what unspoken moral codes there are, and what should be said and what shouldn't. Until then, you're probably the best thing for her, since she'll learn faster the more she trusts and speaks to you," Donatello reassured Mike that dating Eve would only bring benefits in the long run. Mike smiled, feeling reassured. Yet the turtle still felt like a fool. Last night it took all of his mental energy to push Eve away, and in a hurry he suggested playing a game of Uno instead, which the mouse readily accepted as an alternative. Although he felt uncomfortable at the time, a part of him still wanted the experience and he cringed at the fearful thought that he might never get the opportunity ever again.
"So who do you think is going to be the new leader?" Mike changed the subject because he didn't know how to tell Don about what may have happened the night before. He desperately wanted to know if he did the right thing in turning Eve down, but he felt rather uncomfortable in bringing it up in conversation.
"Whoever gets chosen, I hope it's not me."
"You're not interested in being the leader?"
"I don't think I ever have been. I'm really content with my life right now," Donatello explained just before taking another sip of his morning drink. "How about you?"
"Well, I can't say that I've never thought about it. Although I'd love all the privileges of ordering you guys around, I honestly think that I wouldn't be able to handle the job."
"How so?"
"Heh, well let's just say that if Leo was the Fearless Leader, then I'll be the Fearful Leader!" Mike smirked. Don smiled, knowing his brother all too well. If there were a hundred dragons or Foot soldiers lined up ready to battle on a rooftop, on a dark, stormy night… Don knew that Mike would probably run in the other direction. Although Michelangelo loved to help the innocent, he also loved his life.
"Well I guess that leaves either Raph or Venus," Don narrowed the choices down. There was a long silence, which was only occasionally broken when Don sipped at his cooling tea.
"I'd prefer Venus," Michelangelo finally admitted. Donatello had been thinking along the same lines as well.
"We'd be underestimated and teased by our enemies, being led by a female," Don warned, thinking about the pros and cons.
"Well it's better than being led straight into traps!" Mike commented on Raphael's recklessness.
"Raph would never follow Venus' lead though…"
"Well he never followed Leo's lead either," Mike reasoned. "Let's face it. She's levelheaded, smart, decisive and an excellent fighter-"
"-I know," Don agreed.
"I don't see why she can't be the leader."
"Because of Splinter. He'll never allow it. The fact that Raphael will complain about the decision for years to come also doesn't help," Donatello pointed out the facts. Michelangelo nodded meekly and slowly accepted the harsh reality of the situation. Another rather long silence followed.
"How's Leo?" Mike thought to ask.
"He's alright. Grumpy, but alright."
"Will he get better soon?"
"I sure hope he does. For his sake and mine."
"Has he been testing you?"
"A little bit. I don't blame the guy for feeling the way he does, but after a while I just feel depressed. It's too much. I know that Leo has to stay in my room since he has to be observed, but I honestly can't wait until he can take more care of himself. I'm probably a jerk for saying that, but it's just how I feel," Don confessed as he rubbed his gentle hands over the warm porcelain base of the cup. He was thankful that Venus was also by Leo's side yesterday, and yet he raised an eye-ridge at the length of time she was there. Don always suspected some attraction between the two turtles, but if they did, they never seemed to show it. Not openly at any rate. He wondered if Leo and Venus were simply reluctant; too proud in being ninjas to worry about other things.
"I don't blame you for thinking that way. We all know that Leo is Mr. Doom and Gloom lately."
"Yeah, he is a bit like that," Don muttered before taking another sip of his tea. Mike watched as Don tilted his head back further, finishing his drink. A loud thump startled the two turtles. Extremely worried, they both ran over to Donatello's carriage and loudly slid open the door. Leonardo was on the floor. They watched in a mixture of amazement and saddened worry as Leo balanced his weight on his good arm and leg. His left elbow shook from the pressure as the injured turtle struggled to keep his right knee straight. Slowly but surely, Leo managed a pushup.
"One," Leo uttered as his limbs wobbled from the strain. "T, Two," he managed a second.
"Leo! You should be resting!" Don said, coming back to his senses after being mesmorised by Leo's will power.
"No!" Leo cried out as he performed another pushup. Donatello and Michelangelo tried to pick the turtle up off the floor and back onto the bed, but Leo struggled and fought against them. He fell back to the ground. Don and Mike were going to try and pick him up again, but stopped when they saw the tears of anguish in their ex-leader's eyes. "Leave me alone!" His distressed call came across as a plea.
"Leo… you shouldn't be exerting yourself like this," Don tried to reason with the stubborn turtle. With a heartbroken expression, Leo sat upright and tried to hold back his tears.
"I don't want to be like this," he whispered in remorse. "I don't want to be lazy."
"You're not lazy; you're just injured," Don calmly said, trying to remind his brother that because his body needed to rest, it didn't necessarily mean that he was useless and incompetent. Mike and Don moved forward once again and this time Leo allowed them to lift him back into the bed.
"I want my life back," Leo mumbled. Don and Mike held their breath, neither of them knowing what to say to the turtle to convince him that things would get better, not worse. Luckily, at that exact moment, Raphael exited Splinter's room and walked over to join the rest of his comrades.
"Can I talk to Leo for a second?" Raph asked. Somewhat relieved that their gloomy conversation was interrupted, Don and Mike didn't complain about Raph's request and quickly left the room soon after. Raphael pulled Don's computer chair from his desk, swiveled it round and sat on it the wrong way so his forearms could lean on the backrest. Leonardo mutely gazed at him briefly before turning his head to stare at the ceiling without showing any sign of emotion.
"Splinter told me that I am going to be the new leader of the clan," Raphael announced. Leo didn't even move. His whole body turned numb from hearing those words. Raph drummed his fingers against the seat's backrest while he waited a whole minute for Leo to respond. "So that's it? No congratulations, no complaints, no tips?" Raph wondered when his brother was going to snap out of his quiet unperturbed state. It soon became clear that Leo wasn't going to say anything at all. What could he say? "I slept with April," Raph goaded his brother in a joking manner as though he made the incident up only to see if there would be a response. Yet no answer came, not even a glance.
Leonardo gritted his teeth and clenched and unclenched his left fist. He was so angry at the whole situation. He was no longer the leader. He could no longer protect his family. He could no longer be a proper ninja. All of it simply added insult to injury. A small part of him knew that Splinter had to make a choice, and Raph was the most obvious candidate, but the whole thing just aggravated him to no end. Following the old saying and biting his tongue, Leo simply didn't have anything nice to say, and thus he remained as quiet as a mouse.
"Fine. Be like that," Raphael grumped and stormed out of the room. He honestly didn't know what he wanted from Leo. Was it acknowledgment, respect or jealousy that he wanted from the turtle? To Raph, becoming leader had been a bittersweet victory. Just like anyone else, he was mortified by what happened to Leo, and Raph himself had made sure that he had been avenged. Yet there still was competitive streak that seemed to fire through his veins; some reptilian instinct that wanted to be the Alpha male. In the past twenty-four hours, Raphael had succeeded in everything he wanted; leadership status, recognition from Splinter and most importantly, a woman to love. On the other hand, Leo had lost everything that was significant in his life, and Venus was very close to following in his footsteps.
Raphael stood in the middle of the living room and crossed his arms. Mike and Don had returned to their seats at the dining table and were content at simply staring blankly into space. A shift of movement caught their eyes when Venus finally emerged from her train carriage. "Good morning Venus," Raphael greeted with a smile he couldn't contain. The female raised an eye-ridge, wondering why he was being so cocky, especially since it was still rather early in the morning.
"What's going on?" Venus asked, figuring that something was up.
"I was just about to call a family meeting," Raph replied rather coolly.
"Should I get Leo?" Don asked, rising halfway out of his seat. Raphael simply gestured for him to sit down again.
"No need. I've already told him," Raph dismissed. "I spoke to Master Splinter this morning and he feels that it would be best if I was the leader," the turtle informed them. Although he felt like he was over the moon, he still tried to speak in a relatively sincere manner. No one was particularly shocked since they all somewhat expected it, but Venus was still nevertheless displeased about the decision.
"So now that you're the leader, why don't you tell us how we are going to fix the dragon problem?" Venus asked with an annoyed tone.
"Dragon problem?" Raph was baffled.
"The number of dragons searching the sewers in our particular area has doubled, possibly tripled over the past twenty-four hours," Donatello informed him from his seat at the table.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I spent most of last night tracking them on my Eye-In-The-Sky computer program," Don said.
"Well then we'll just have to go out and fight them!" Raph ordered, already getting irritated by all the little bits of information and the serious decisions he was expected to make.
"But Don and I have only had a few hours sleep," Mike whined.
"So? You look fine to me," Raph retorted.
"Raph, when someone has less than six hours worth of sleep, their reflexes are as slow as someone who's intoxicated with alcohol," Don reasoned.
"Really? I think I'd prefer to be drunk than tired," Mike said with a yawn.
"Well get some sleep then! Geez! Do I have to make every little decision for ya?" Raphael said, quickly getting annoyed with trying to organise everybody.
"Raph, I can go out and fight some dragons with you," Venus offered.
"But Splinter doesn't want you to fight," Raph muttered under his breath, though Venus was still able to hear his comment. The female turtle stood still, mouth open in shock while she tried to comprehend Splinter's logic.
"After all that has happened, he still thinks I shouldn't fight?!" Venus' voice bordered that of a screech.
"He just wants someone to stay back and look after Leo," Raphael said, not realising how his comment could be misinterpreted into something really sexist.
"Splinter's got two hands. He can do it himself! There's also Eve. Let's not forget about her," Venus debated.
"Where is Eve anyway?" Mike suddenly asked, butting into the conversation. He wanted to try and calm things back down, but instead he received an angry glare from Venus.
"She's currently sleeping in my room; where she should have been all of last night," Venus quipped, somewhat irritated with all the shenanigans the mouse got up to the previous night - traveling from room to room, turtle to turtle.
"Eve's a guest and Splinter doesn't really know what to do," Raph defended the rat's decision.
"No. It's not that at all! Splinter's playing favourites with Eve and simply making up excuses!"
"Look. It's Splinter's decision and that's that!"
"Last time you went out without me, Leo was horribly injured. Now you're one man down, and yet you think that you'll be able to defeat twice as many dragons with just you three, even though all four of you couldn't do it last time!"
"You're such a hypocrite! Not even five minutes ago you were suggesting that only you and I go out!"
"That's because I'm…" Venus paused before she said any more, but Raph still picked up the gist of her last sentence.
"You're what? Better? Geez! You're just like Leo, you know that? You think you're so much better than everyone else, as though you walk around like your shit doesn't stink! Well guess what, Venus? I got chosen as leader, and as leader I get authority over you. Now when I say that you're not welcome, I mean it! My decision's final! Now everybody get some fucking sleep!" Raphael barked his orders in an arrogant fashion before storming off towards his own room. He was completely fed up with the others and honestly wished that he could have just spent the day with April.
"Nice leader you've got there," Venus hissed as she stormed over towards her own room. She slammed her door, waking up Eve in the process. Don and Mike looked at each other from across the table.
"We've got such a happy family," Mike said with a cheerful voice and a big cheesy grin, causing Don to lightly smile at his sarcasm. Yet underneath all the jokes, Michelangelo knew that the worse was yet to come.
It was only late afternoon, yet it seemed it was already past midnight. Everyone was still sleeping, so the lair was rather quiet with only the occasional little snore to break the stillness of the air. Venus looked around her room to see if she had missed anything before zipping up her bag, being careful not to wake the little mutant mouse that slept in the corner. She sighed at the single garment that was neatly folded on her bed. In a series of silent movements, Venus fondly slipped on her full length black cloak. It the same piece of clothing she wore when she first met the boys and it brought back numerous memories, both sad and delightful. Feeling fully prepared, she reluctantly picked up her packed bag and moved it into the living room.
The ladder that led to the exit was only a few feet away and yet Venus experienced a sudden urge to stay. Feeling guilty, Venus quickly scribbled down a blunt, yet thoughtful note before leaving it on the kitchen table for all to see. But something still nagged at her conscience. She really wanted someone to confide in, though Mike and Don would try to change her mind, Eve would gossip and Raph and Splinter were completely out of the question. However there was one turtle that she dearly wanted to say goodbye to.
Venus smiled when she found Donatello asleep in his computer chair, however he wasn't the one who she wanted to talk to. Stealthily she crept into the room and stood silently at Leo's bedside. She wasn't surprised to find him asleep as well, since that was one of the only things he could still do. Venus lightly ran her fingers down his right arm, knowing that he would never feel a thing, yet she would still experience the comforting contact that she sought to find. Her hand skimmed over his numb muscles and she admired the honourable warrior that he once was, though her thoughts saddened due to the horrible reality of it all when she reached the IV drip attached to the back of his hand. Then, acting purely on impulse, she leaned in and kissed the sleeping form on the lips.
It was faint and brief, but Venus could think of no better way to say goodbye. If either of them had found the time earlier before everything in their lives had started to fall apart, then a beautiful relationship may have formed. Now, under the current circumstances and Splinter's wishes, their love for each other would have been fully supported, yet for some reason Venus felt that it was now forbidden. She had always liked Leo, but she was greatly ashamed for her emotions; so threatened that she couldn't even answer Eve's simple question about which guy she liked. Venus felt that if she liked Leo, then she was indirectly obeying Splinter's will, which she was greatly opposed. She didn't want her inescapable fate to come true. The female didn't want to love Leo, but her heart had a mind of its own. Although she liked the feminist ideals that existed in the States, deep down she knew that Leo was her weakness and therefore she felt she couldn't show her true emotions.
Leaving Leo's side, she took one last glance at Don, Leo and the rest of the lair, before finally making her solo ascent to the outside world. A few minutes later, Leonardo's eyes slowly fluttered open. The turtle was woken up from the tiniest of touches, so sweet that the trace, the feeling, had almost disappeared altogether. He tenderly rubbed his lips with his left hand, wondering if it was real or simply a dream. Leo sighed in contentment and closed his eyes so he could try to remember what exactly he had felt, but he slowly drifted off to sleep again soon after.
'What a waste of a day,' Splinter thought as he emerged from his room. Due to the high amounts of stress that had built up within the clan, none of the turtles accomplished anything except catching up on some lost hours of sleep. Raphael was unable to encourage the others and failed to formulate a plan, and so in the end nothing was achieved. 'It would have been different with Leonardo…' Splinter grimly reminisced. He knew that Raphael wasn't exactly a 'people-person', but he still thought that he was the best choice. No matter what, he was going to remain firm on his decision.
Nightfall had arrived, but there was still no sign of movement in the lair. Knowing that most of his sons were approaching an adequate amount of sleep, he knew that they were going to be restless in the days to come, now that their body clocks were flipped around. Suspecting that they would wake soon, Splinter fixed his tattered robe and considered making a cup of tea. He stopped when he saw a peculiar, folded piece of paper placed conspicuously in the very centre of the kitchen table. His long fingers uncurled and carefully picked it up. Splinter's old eyes squinted in the dim light as he read the fluid and rushed handwriting.
It has become clear to me that I am no longer appreciated or needed within this family. After some serious thinking, I have decided to leave. Dragon Lord is my problem and I intend to fix it. I only hope that my actions bring me the honour that I have recently lost.
To Splinter: In my eyes, your reasoning has brought dishonour and hardship to us all. I have nothing more to say to you.
To Raphael: Just remember that pride comes before a fall.
To Donatello: Please look after Leo. If I should fail, then make sure that you get to safety. Keep watching those dragons.
To Michelangelo: I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. Don't ever change. You're perfect the way you are. Never lose that sense of humour.
To Leonardo: Don't lose hope. You have people you love you very dearly. Never give up.
To Eve: If you choose to stay, then be prepared to fill my place in cleaning the dishes.
Yours sincerely,
Venus de Milo.
Splinter sighed deeply and questioned whether he should show the others the rather spiteful letter. It was obvious that Venus was extremely angry with him, but the ninjitsu master still felt that he was right in the long run. By sacrificing the goals and dreams of one of his students, he wanted to ensure that the clan would continue. He hoped that one day that Venus would understand his way of thinking even though she currently felt victimised. It was her natural duty, and he was certain that the responsibility haunted her in the back of her mind.
A glint of movement caught his eye, and soon after his breath was caught as well. Once again Splinter stood flabbergasted at the sight of Eve. He didn't know why he was acting the way he did. He was usually quite comfortable around guests and unknown people. But for some reason Eve had that paralysing effect on him, and Splinter was extraordinarily curious to find out why.
"Up again?" Eve asked sweetly.
"Uh-huh," Splinter uttered, his gaze seemingly glued to her.
"Is anyone awake?" The mouse was curious.
"No. Just us," Splinter said. "I was just about to make myself a cup of tea."
"Tea? I haven't had that before."
"I'll make you one then," Splinter offered. He pulled out a chair and gestured for Eve to sit. She didn't even question his actions before complying. "Are you enjoying your stay here?" Splinter started to make conversation while he poured some water into the kettle to boil.
"Yep."
"Has everyone been nice to you?"
"Yep," Eve repeated, not thinking about the questions for too long. For the next few minutes, the mouse bit at her nails while Splinter finished making the tea. When he made himself comfortable at the table, he started speaking once again.
"Do you like it?" Splinter asked as he watched Eve timidly try the steaming drink. The mouse suddenly jerked her head away from the cup.
"It's really hot!" she hissed. Splinter simply chuckled at her innocence.
"That's what tea's supposed to be," he answered carefully. The old rat took a sip of his own before staring seriously at the young girl. "Eve, have you ever been scared about how short your life may be?"
"Not really." Once again she didn't think about what she was being asked. "Three years is a long time," she naïvely added.
"I sometimes feel that my life is coming to an end soon," Splinter admitted while he gently fingered the handle of the cup. "Looking at you makes me feel young."
Eve tilted her head and pondered over Splinter's words. "How?"
"A wise man once said that age is only a state of mind," Splinter quoted. "We both might have the same amount of years left, and yet you are so full of life. Unlike myself, you don't dwell on those problems and simply enjoy each moment as it comes. I suppose you are correct in saying that three years is a long time for those who spend it wisely," Splinter philosophized. Eve didn't exactly understand everything he was saying, but she gave him a kind smile and tried to sip her tea again.
From observing her antics and expression, Splinter knew that Eve didn't love Michelangelo – or so he hoped that she didn't like him that way, for Splinter wasn't going to back down on this opportunity. It was amoral to have such wishes of being with Eve especially when Mike was still in the picture, but what was more important in the long run? At that moment Splinter realised that he wouldn't be truly content if his son won this war of the heart. Morals and personal fantasies simply couldn't coexist. As Mike had his whole life ahead of him, Splinter figured that he would encounter many more relationship prospects when compared to himself and his last, withering years. His feelings surrounding Eve were too strong to ignore and so then and there he made up his mind to ignore all other problems and simply do what would make him happy. All he wanted to do was make the best of his remaining years, and Eve was the key.
To be continued…
Author's Note: I have to agree with some of my reviewers that the two pairings (Mike and Eve, Raph and April) formed rather quickly, but both are crucial to the plot and I hope that Mike and Eve are sorted out better in this chapter. Originally I planned to add a bit more of the story to this chapter, but I felt it was getting too long and Splinter probably ended it stronger anyway. There was going to be a bit more about Raph and April, but I've decided to just do more of it next chapter.
